Thrillist-Showtime House Party, 23 Gramercy Park South, New York
October 13, 2008
by Kelly Samardak
Thrillist is so manly isn't it? All that metro guidance, revealings of the underbelly of your favorite city, the sick flights (you know... sick as in sweet) to Vegas with questionable press, and the latest takeover of a gorgeous mansion. Named the Showtime Mansion (just this once?), the spot on Gramercy where Tiffany Winbush joked that she'd be placing an offer, delivered room after cleverly decorated room -- all elegantly carrying the theme of hit Showtime time-suckers. Did people partake in illegal tobacco puffing in the "Weeds" room? Did randy wannabe socialites try to make a naked name for themselves on the beach-themed patio? Was anyone dismembered and shoved into the "Dexter" kitchen? I gblahuess you'll have to read on to find out...
Upon arrival, I was immediately introduced to John Wiseman, Thrillist Director of Marketing, Paul Magyar, Thrillist East Coast Sales Manager, and the edibily cute Ben Lerer, Thrillist Founder. I'm sure that, as accomplished as he is, Ben loves being called cute. Onto the rooms! My +1 grabbed the cleaver from the Dexter kitchen and grinned while stroking the blade. I gasped "That's not really sharp, is it?" "Sharp enough," he sneered, hacking off my hand just below the wrist, making it difficult to sip and shoot at the same time. Bleeding profusely, I wandered from the Dexter kitchen and up the stairs into the "L Word" boudoir, which begged me to question my sexual orientation. I kept walking in and out of the "Weeds"-themed room forgetting I had been there as soon as I left. Which made me hungry. Good thing we ran into the sushi gal outside the "Weeds" room -- perfect location. Ack! Vegetarian sushi! Boo! I plucked up a roll and ate it anyway. Uh oh, our drinks were already low, so we headed all the way upstairs where another bar was situated.
On the way there, I ran into a photophobe from NY1 and her guest Stephanie, who was "just along for the ride". NY1 went straight for Justin Fluck, formerly of The Onion, currently taking a run at Thrillist. It was only his seventh day on the job and he was still going through introductions within Thrillist. Not a bad seventh day. My seventh day wasn't in a mansion; I think it was in the supply closet. Anyway, up at the bar I ran into the adorable Tiffany Winbush, who was waiting for her very stylish hubby (can't go wrong with a tie tucked into a sweater, kids!). She'd told him to arrive early with her to avoid the line and he opted out, which means he opted into the line.
Joe Ciarallo completed the Twitter/PRNewser reunion with Nicole Caldwell, who just left her position as Editor In Chief at Playgirl. Turns out that due to Playgirl's decision to ditch the print and hit the Web 100%, their site will be more of a ... uh... video download extravaganza. And I think you know what I mean. This didn't really align with Nicole's love and respect for journalism, so she cut the cord and is heading down a new path pursuing other editing and writing opportunities.
Of course I ran into the always silly, always fauxhawk-coiffed Adam Francisco of MediaVest, who recently met my favorite childhood star, Zack Morris... er, Mark-Paul Gosselaar. The JetVegas reunion hits kept coming with Mike Rothman, Thrillist Director of Advertising Sales, in his chocolate brown velvety jacket, making like a non-VIP and waiting in line with Brian Kantor, Associate Publisher, BlackBook Guides. Out on the patio I re-ran into David Blend, Executive Editor Thrillist.com who was nyucking it up with Dean "Sawyer" Chandler, Sales Director, Gawker Media. "We've been together forever!" Dean offered, with David remembering a fabulous past photo of the two of them. Apparently in it Dean's shirt is completely unbuttoned and David has an enormous 'fro. Please, someone, dig that up. Keeping the seat warm behind David and Dean was Gwen Barbee of Vanguard S&P with her pal Gary in the green suit. Or olive. Sparring for best-hued jacket was Richard Blakely sporting one in salmon, who was jawing with Eric Krangel of the Alley Insider.
I popped a steaming dumpling into my mouth as I moved along the top floor, aiming to hit the stairs and out the door for meat. Oh yes, that dumpling was so hot I almost spit it out. I looked up and saw Joe Ciarallo had the same reaction, eyes watering as the roof of his mouth began to dangle onto his tongue. One of my last photo stops found Jonathan Faulhaber, Producer, The View, manning what looked like an uncomfortable seat -- but somehow he made it look comfortable with his Dapper Dan-layered look. He was with Caroline Bubnis, Publicist, The Door and Nicole Pierce, Beauty Expert, fancyandexpensive.blogspot.com
I left too soon, in search of oval-shaped meat because according to my sources still peppered about the party, the green stuff made an appearance on the patio as did the, well, naked stuff. Seriously people, keep your clothes on. You do NOT want to be famous for public attempts at baby-making.
Invite kelly@mediapost.com to your shack party and get covered in Just An Online Minute!
You should know that none of the writers started breakdance-fighting with the PR reps. See, we can all just get a ong. Well, except for the two snappy ladies I accidentally backed into while trying to take a picture. "Excuse ME. THANK you!" one sniped with a flick of her wrist and a flip of her hair as she regarded my intrusive backside with distaste. This camera, it's going to get me a cameo on "JAIL:Manhattan" some day. One can only hope. I need a weight-lifting regimen and bland food diet. 
